27 July 22 Super8: Eight intriguing articles from July.

  • Daniel Banik
  • Published in Super8

Change is everywhere. Some of us fight for it and others fight against it. Some see it as something that is good; others as a phenomenon to resist. Or, perhaps it has no meaning at all.

Regardless of our relationship with change, we must prepare for its inevitable arrival. Acceptance is key. As Marcus Aurilius wrote, “Loss is nothing as but change, and change is Nature’s delight.”

So, we lightly bundle these eight articles up for you with the thread of change. Whether it is the role of emotion in an organisation confronted by transformation, or how advances in television technology is change how we view film, or how video conferencing is changing how we connect with our teammates; Daniel Banik’s choices are designed to help you think about how change infiltrates our lives.

1. Organisational transformation is an emotional journey.

Changing at an individual level is hard. Driving change through an entire organisation is near impossible. In this article from HBR Blog, the authors explore the role of emotion in organisational change, especially in gaining commitment from the teams driving the change. It also recognises an often-overlooked element of the transformation process: those people who bear the emotional brunt of transformations that fail. This article will be a helpful read to any leader looking to take their team into uncharted territories.

2. TVs are too good now. Why does Home Alone look better than the latest Marvel fare on the most advanced displays?

There was a time—not too long ago—when TVs were big, brown and, occupied the corner of the family room. By comparison, today’s technology is utterly astounding in its design and picture quality. As someone who does not own a television, this article was a complete revelation for me. It is a wonderful demonstration of how advances in television technology highlight how far CGI has to go to catch the intricate details conveyed in film.

3. Humans have always been wrong about humans.

Full disclosure: I had never heard of a single person mentioned in this article before reading it. In fact, many of the ideas, concepts, and civilizations were completely novel to me. But that’s what I love about this article/review/account. It was like walking through a library and ignoring the ‘do not enter’ sign on that room full of books. It has opened a world of academia that I am now keen to explore and understand. Hopefully this article has the same effect on you.

4. The trouble with zooming forever.

The world changed with the arrival of COVID-19 in ways that will keep academics writing PhD theses for decades to come. One of the major changes was how we view the work environment, particularly its location. This was enabled by the readiness and availability of video conferencing technologies like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. In this article, Arthur C Brooks ponders what we might have lost by the gaining the ability to work from wherever we like.

5. The case for caring less.

Turns out the throwaway line ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ carries some weight. In this article from Vox, Allie Volpe explains the importance of centering yourself and setting boundaries to protect – and nurture – your piece of mind, and explains the quality this adds to your day-to-day life. Oh, and reminds us that there is no need to feel guilty for aiming for good enough rather than perfect.

6. The hidden history of screen readers.

In this article for The Verge, Sheon Han sheds light on the life-changing software created by programmers with blindness. For one thing, you’ll certainly have a newfound understanding—and appreciation—for those voiceover pop-ups next time you inadvertently press a certain combination of keys on your keyboard.

7. Your other life.

Lord Huron’s interactive music video for ‘Your Other Life’ toys with the concept of living a double life. After pressing play, you’ll notice a fader scale that allows you to slide between dimensions, representing two perspectives of the same event depicted in the video. Curious to know how events unfold? Our lips are sealed. Be sure to give it a watch to find out.

8. Apple is already dying, and this process has a name.

Apple benefited greatly from Job’s custom-made, handheld company structure. However, it is also precisely what has led the company to its inevitable demise.

In this article from Medium, Alan Trapulionis explores Apple’s decline in innovation since Jobs’ passing. In this unbiased analysis, you’ll learn why we can’t point the finger at their CEO, Tim Cook, either. A fascinating read that will make you think harder next time you’re in the market for some new tech.

Daniel Banik

With a background in strategy, user-centred interaction, service and experience design, marketing and brand management, Daniel is a driving force behind August. A forward-thinking and quietly ambitious individual, Daniel is constantly asking the question: “How can we do it better?” He is a strategic thinker and doer who leads the August team to think big and deliver work that exceeds clients’ expectations.

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